Chapter 2

I turned around to see a woman in her thirties, smiling warmly, a shopping cart in front of her.

"You're Arienne, right?" she asked.

"Uh... yeah," I said, confused.

"Oh, let me introduce myself. I'm-"

"Nicole!"

I sighed. Of course. Mom, interrupting, as usual.

"I didn't know you lived around here!" she said, all excited.

"I do! Just near the pharmacy," Nicole replied.

"Wait, we live nearby too! Do you live in a gray building?"

"Yes! Third floor."

"We're on the fifth!" Mom practically beamed.

And just like that, they were off-talking, laughing, catching up like they weren't in the middle of a damn grocery store.

Meanwhile, I stood there, feeling completely invisible.

Hello? Still here... don't forget about me!

Then-

"You'll get used to it."

I turned. Trash dude.

He was standing there, hands stuffed into the pockets of that same perfectly oversized gray hoodie, a black crossbody bag slung over his shoulder.

"Trash dude?" I blurted before I could stop myself.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Sorry?"

"Oh, uh-nothing." My face burned.

I scrambled for a recovery. "Do you know them?"

"Yeah, that's my mom, Nicole. We-"

"Arienne, come here," Mom cut in. Again.

For f- What is it with her timing today?

I forced a polite smile at Nicole. "Hi."

"Ari, this is Nicole," Mom said like I hadn't already figured that out. "We were classmates in high school!"

Ah.That explains the energy.

"And this is my son, Zayn," Nicole added. "I also have two daughters, but they're at home."

Zayn. Trash dude had a name.

I glanced at him. Big mistake.He was smiling. Warm, easy-the kind of smile that did dangerous things to my stomach.

Butterflies? Seriously? Get it together, Ari.

"Why don't you both come over for dinner tomorrow? It's Sunday, after all," Mom suggested.

"Bring your family, too," she added, waving as we said our goodbyes.

I sighed. Well, shit.